InvisionFree

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InvisionFree

The main page of InvisionFree.
URL http://www.invisionfree.com/
Commercial? Yes
Type of site Remotely hosted internet forum
Registration Required for creating forums;
admin optional on individual forums.
Owner Zathyus Networks, Inc.
Created by Brandon Kopetzky
Current status Modified IPB 1.3

InvisionFree (also known as IF[1]) is a free Internet forum hosting company. It was founded in September, 2002[2], and uses a modified version of the Invision Power Board (IPB) 1.3[3] forum software. It was established and currently led by Brandon Kopetzky who lives in Bowie, Maryland[4].

According to its terms of service, InvisionFree does not restrict forums on the basis of post, topic, or member number, nor bandwidth, nor will forums be deleted for inactivity[5]. Google AdSense is the site’s main source of revenue, however users may purchase ad removal[6], as well as increased file space for uploads[7].

Limitations of InvisionFree include the lack of FTP access and editing restrictions and inability to access the MySQL database directly, as the software is remotely hosted.

Contents

[edit] ZetaBoards

Current event marker This article or section contains information about scheduled or expected future software.
The content may change dramatically as the software release approaches and more information becomes available.		 Software Development
ZetaBoards
URL ZetaBoards
Commercial? Yes
Type of site Remotely hosted internet forum
Registration Required for creating forums;
Admin optional on individual forums.
Owner Zathyus Networks, Inc.
Created by Brandon Kopetzky
Current status Public Beta

ζetaBoards (formerly known as InvisionFree 2.0 or IF2.0) is an upcoming forum software and website created by Zathyus Networks. In an official announcement which has since been lost in a data crash, Brandon Kopetzky, owner of InvisionFree, announced that a new name would be given to the software - ZetaBoards. ZetaBoards is designed from scratch, without any ties to Invision Power Board - the software that InvisionFree was based on - at all. ZetaBoards, like InvisionFree, will be remotely hosted[8] as opposed to being downloaded like other forum software such as the aforementioned IPB and vBulletin. The software has been described as "an all-encompassing upgrade that will take the place of InvisionFree's service. ZetaBoards features enhanced moderation, automatic protections against spam bots, a post search, a new PM system, and an enhanced skinning system, as well as many more new features and enhancements," however, like InvisionFree, still does not allow direct access to the SQL database nor the FTP.

[edit] Testing

ZetaBoards underwent a closed beta test in October 2006, using selected members and staff from the InvisionFree Support Forums and the InvisionFree Skin Zone (now ZetaBoards Theme Zone[9]), the two largest support/resource forums for InvisionFree[10]. Then on January 21st 2007, a test board for ZetaBoards was opened to the public for testing.[11]. Approximatly two months after on March 3rd 2007, the members were able to register their own test boards.[12]. Once the beta has been completed, members will be given the optional ability to upgrade their forums to a ZetaBoards board while keeping their posts and members etc.

[edit] Updates from IPB 1.3

[edit] The board's interface

  • Categories can be collapsed and expanded, and the text boxes used to post can be resized
  • The list of emoticons can be expanded and will appear in line, as opposed to the original pop up window (although the Full Posting Method allowed some emoticons to be shown in line)
  • Posted images are dynamically resized to fit into the post area as to not to stretch the board
  • A legend specifying member groups for clarity
  • The ability to have more than one poll in a topic
  • A built in themes selector allowing you to add up to 32 themes
  • Notification upon receiving private messages
  • An online/offline legend, as well as members being able to disable PM's
  • A revamped Admin Control Panel (ACP)
  • A "Report Post" control panel
  • "Limited Admin CP Access"[13]
  • Custom Profile fields

[edit] Moderation and the Admin Control Panel

Screenshot of the admin control panel.
Screenshot of the admin control panel.
  • An easy to use new user interface
  • The ability to create joinable groups
  • The ability to create a custom website that is integrated into the software and uses it's CSS
  • Automatic Moderation Tools (AutoTools) -
  • In line Topic Moderation
  • In line Moderation Queue
  • Report CP[14]

[edit] Themes

The forum has three themes by default. They can be modified, deleted, and up to 32 new ones can be added. They were designed and created by members of staff from InvisionFree Support Forums and the InvisionFree Skin Zone (soon to be ZetaBoards Theme Zone), specifically Nicola Ball and Valleri.

[edit] Gallery

The Default Theme for ZetaBoards.

The dark Mono theme for ZetaBoards.

The Classic IPB 1.3-like theme for ZetaBoards.

[edit] Criticism

Many people have complained about the compatibility issues with different browsers and their rendering of the board. Seth Kinast, one of the website's administrators, has created a table showing browser's advantages and disadvantages[15]. Internet Explorer 6, for example, has problems viewing the board correctly because of Cascading Style Sheets issues. Despite these problems found, Seth Kinast has stated that the bugs will be sorted out before the final release.[16]

[edit] References

  1. ^ InvisionFree is based on Invision Power Board software, and as such, IPB's abbreviation inspired Invisionfree to adopt a similar one, namely IF.
  2. ^ Invisionfree About page.
  3. ^ Stated in footer of any InvisionFree forum, "Powered by Invision Power Board v1.3 Final © 2003 IPS, Inc."
  4. ^ Brandon's InvisionFree profile shows he is the first member, ie. creator of the site, and born in Maryland.
  5. ^ InvisionFree's Terms of Service.
  6. ^ Optional Ad Removal Purchase.
  7. ^ Optional additional file space purchase.
  8. ^ The ZetaBoards upgrade FAQ.
  9. ^ The ZetaBoards Theme Zone Announcement.
  10. ^ Announcement by Brandon
  11. ^ Announcement by Brandon
  12. ^ Announcement by Brandon
  13. ^ The ZetaBoards upgrade FAQ.
  14. ^ ZetaBoards Documentation
  15. ^ Seth Kinast's signature
  16. ^ Seth Kinast's signature

[edit] External links

Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org../../../i/n/v/InvisionFree_b611.html"